James nets Johnston into successive final (From Western Telegraph)

James nets Johnston into successive final

Johnston 2 Kilgetty 1 (After extra time)

Peter James was the toast of his Johnston teammates on Saturday after his goal in the second half of extra time gave his side a win over Kilgetty to place the Tigers into the final of the Second Division Cup for the second year running.

In a keenly contested battle his goal, and some splendid saves by veteran 'keeper Steve James gave Johnston the spoils.

By no means all all-time classic cup tie, neither side was really able to assert themselves and dominate the opposition. Despite the wonderful springtime weather, a slight breeze down the ground was enough to give each side an edge either side of the break.

In the first half it was Johnston who were on top, especially when Kilgetty lost the services of stalwart midfielder Bobby Bevan through injury. Without him, they lacked the experience necessary to contain the waves of Tigers' attacks which came in the first half. Indeed, Johnston's dominated this period to such an extent that it was surprising that they scored only the one goal.

It came via a quickly taken free-kick which caught the Kilgetty defence napping and Simon Ormond nipped in to score. Soon after and Ormond took another free-kick which flew inches over the bar.

Kilgetty did have the odd chance or two with Darren Rossiter proving a real menace down the right, while Adam Thorne was an industrious runner throughout and it was surprising that neither player found the back of the net. Then again they had Steve James to beat. Despite being on the wrong end of 40 his experience told as he brought off a number of excellent saves. One from Paul Mansbridge really stood out as he shot powerfully from close range only for James to deny him a first half equaliser.

After the break and Kilgetty began to use the breeze to their advantage and Johnston were forced to defend for long periods.

Adam Thorne and Rossiter again proved a handful while Jamie Morgan came into the game more on the left hand side and peppered the box with a series of crosses.

Despite having copious amounts of chances to score, the equaliser just didn't come until a little stroke of luck midway through the half.

Morgan took possession and cut inside and his shot took a deflection and looped into the net. It was a well deserved goal after all the possession they had and they took confidence from it by pushing forward at every opportunity. Rossiter and Thorne had shots blocked while Mansbridge and Thorne also caused a few problems. The goal didn't come despite the pressure and Johnston broke free. Substitute Darren Skelhorn took the ball just outside the box and unleashed a powerful shot. It looked for all the world that he would score a late winner but the ball flew off the knee of Kilgetty 'keeper Christian Phillips. And then came extra time.

Kilgetty played with the wind again and they continued to heap pressure on the Johnston defence. Anthony Bevan had the best chance after a mix up in defence but just couldn't get a touch on the ball. Johnston moved up field and almost scored through Skelhorn but he headed inches wide. The second half came and it was Johnston who took control. The goal soon came as Gary James provided a lovely cross in and Paul James nipped in to head home the winner as Kilgetty's defence was again caught napping.

Try as they might they pushed forward in search of the equaliser but it just didn't come and Johnston made their way for a day out at The Bridge Meadow. l Johnston will now play Pendine in the final after they defeated St Davids 2-3 in the other semi-final.